Sources Now Saying Apple iTV Unlikely to Happen in 2012

The randomly accurate tech news site DigiTimes is now reporting that it is very unlikely Apple will release the rumored Apple-branded TV in 2012. DigiTimes claims that “industry sources” say Sharp is not in a position to ship the IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) panels that Apple needs.

Apple reportedly has sought to source IGZO panels from Sharp for the production of iTVs as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which unveiled their 55-inch Super OLED and AMOLED TV models, respectively, at CES, both have regarded OLED TVs are their killer products for 2012, and therefore the two Korea-based companies are unlikely to share OLED panel production capacities with Apple.

Since I never believed an Apple-branded TV would be released anytime soon, this “news” doesn’t surprise me. I don’t think these panels are the only things holding Apple back from releasing an iTV this year, I don’t think they will launch it until they are able to deliver content in a revolutionary way, and that is currently being held back by the television networks.